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Witnesses in Somalia say Ethiopian troops have entered the transitional government's base in the town of Baidoa to protect it from a feared advance by Islamic militiamen.

Ethiopia is denying the accounts. However, Ethiopia's information minister, Berhan Hailu, said Thursday that Ethiopia is prepared to invade Somalia to defend the government.

Islamic militiamen advanced to within 40 kilometers of Baidoa on Wednesday, but witnesses say they pulled back today.

The advance has prompted Somalia's transitional government to put its troops on high alert.

Islamic fighters have seized control of much of southern Somalia in recent weeks after defeating secular warlords in a battle for the capital, Mogadishu. The transitional government has United Nations backing but little power outside Baidoa.

Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said it was gravely concerned over reports of the the Islamic militia's advance on Baidoa.

Earlier this week, Somalia's Islamic Courts Council said it was setting up a court in two regions, Bay and Bakol, ostensibly under government control.

Somalia's Islamic Courts Council has moved to implement a strict version of Islamic (sharia) law in areas under its command.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.